Chidambaram to visit Jammu and Kashmir April 10

Jammu And Kashmir,Kashmir,Terrorism,
Sat, 24 Mar 2012IANS

Jammu, March 24 (IANS) Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram will be visiting Jammu and Kashmir April 10 to review the security situation in the state, which is looking ahead to a repeat of 2011's peaceful summer this year.

Chidambaram's April 10 visit is coming in the backdrop of the decline in militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and the challenges before the state government that is keen to have a peaceful summer this year as well.

According to highly placed sources, some officials of the union home ministry had visited Jammu and Kashmir to prepare the agenda for the home minister's visit.

The home minister will be holding discussions and taking a closer look at the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir, as announced by state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in October last year.

Chidambaram had last visited the state in June last year and had asked the state authorities to ensure peace during 2011 before asking for the repeal of the AFSPA, against which Omar Abdullah has launched a vigorous campaign.

The state government also has plans to hold local body elections in April-May this year.